USAID-Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity Annual Report, FY 2019

The program began in 2018 and is implemented by RTI International in partnership with various stakeholders. The program focuses on three priority areas: Market Systems, Productivity, and Policy. In the Market Systems area, the program has enhanced market systems organization and coordination, improved the capacity and profitability of lead firms and agribusinesses, and developed service markets for business development services and value chain-specific actors. The program has also expanded access to finance and insurance services, and facilitated trade in domestic, regional, and international markets. In the Productivity area, the program has promoted the production of targeted commodities, including those produced by women and youth. The program has also expanded agricultural input supply systems and improved access to diverse, safe, and nutritious foods. The program has supported the adoption of conservation agriculture and improved technology adoption, which has improved farmer resilience. The program has also focused on policy environment for market systems development, including national-level policy formulation systems, county-level policy implementation systems, and policy environment to support agricultural markets. The program has supported the integration of women and youth in agricultural market systems, including support for market facilitation and linkages, enhance agricultural input, production, and processing, and access to formal and informal financing. The program has also established a Partnership and Innovation Fund to support innovative projects and partnerships. The program has also conducted monitoring and evaluation, collaboration, learning, and adaptation, and has made progress in communications and outreach. The program has achieved several successes, including the establishment of a cereal growers association, the promotion of business development services, and the expansion of access to finance and insurance services. The program has also supported the adoption of conservation agriculture and improved technology adoption, which has improved farmer resilience. The program has also faced several challenges, including the Fall Army Worm infestation, which has affected crop yields, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted market systems. The program has also faced challenges in accessing finance and insurance services, particularly for smallholder farmers. The program has made significant progress in its first year, and has laid the foundation for future growth and development. The program has established partnerships with various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector companies, and non-governmental organizations. The program has also developed a strong monitoring and evaluation system, which will enable it to track progress and make adjustments as needed. The program has also made significant progress in its second year, and has continued to build on the successes of the first year. The program has expanded its reach to more counties and has established new partnerships with various stakeholders. The program has also continued to support the adoption of conservation agriculture and improved technology adoption, which has improved farmer resilience. Overall, the Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity is a critical program that is making significant contributions to the development of Kenya's agricultural market systems. The program has established partnerships with various stakeholders, has developed a strong monitoring and evaluation system, and has made significant progress in its first two years.